Arch construction



Dec. 7, 1943. DAVEY. 2,336,228

Y ARCH CONSTRUCTION Filed May 22, 1941 EHHHHHH HHHHHl- Inventor Jlrmczn Davey M Y C'W flitar-neyfg Patented Dec. 7, 1943 Application May 22, 1941, Serial No. 394,666 In Great Britain June 20, 1940 6 Claims.

This invention relates to arch construction and is directed towards the provision of an improved form of voussoir block which enables arches to be erected without the use of centering.

The object of this invention is to provide a block of voussoir form having a lug projecting laterally from one side face thereof of a height approximating the height of the block, and a recess at each end so shaped that when the blocks are fitted end to end and side by ide, the recesses will cooperate to form passages to receive the lugs projecting from the side faces of juxtapositioned blocks for the previous course.

When constructing a barrel vault in accordance with the invention it is preferred first to erect the end wall with a semi-circular ledge to accommodate the first ring or course of voussoirs which in this case are conveniently shaped as sections of an arch. These are cemented in position. Each voussoir is provided with a circular lug in the centre of one side, projecting outwards at right angles to the end wall, and a semi-circular notch at each end of slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the lug. A template is thus provided for the erection of the next ring, in which each voussoir fits in between the lugs projecting from two contiguous blocks in the first ring. The backs of the voussoirs are buttered with mortar before pressing into position. The voussoirs may be provided with fillets, channels or grooves to enable the blocks to be laid dry and subsequently grouted up. The voussoirs in this particular form of my invention may all be the same size, except that half sizes will obviously be required for both ends of every alternate ring. The concrete footings are formed with a shallow recess on the top surface to accommodate the bottom voussoir.

To increase the speed of erection, the structure may be started midway along its length and built out in two directions.

Metal or other reinforcement may be provided between some or all of the blocks and appropriate recesses or grooves may be made in the blocks to accommodate this reinforcement.

My invention is not limited to the construction of barrel vaultings but extends to any arched or vaulted structure that can be constructed of voussoirs so shaped that each one registers or engages with one or more of its neighbours, or a sufiicient proportion of the voussoirs so engage that the structure is at all stages of construction sufficiently rigid to eliminate the necessity for using centering.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the invention in a diagrammatic manner,

Fig. 1 shows one form of voussoir block according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a part section through a semicircular barrel vault built according to the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation corresponding to Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the manner in which the first arch ring is built into the end Wall of the Vault;

Fig. 5 shows one form of modified voussoir block for use in cases in which reinforcement of the arch is desirable;

Fig. 6 shows a section along th line VI of Fig. 7 with a reinforcing bar in position;

Fig. 7 shows a number of blocks assembled with one reinforcing bar in position;

Fig. 8 is a View in perspective of a modified form of the block.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4, the vault is built up of a number of blocks of voussoir form A having central circular lugs B projecting there from on one side and semi-circular recesses C in each end.

These recesses C are slightly larger in diameter than the lugs B so that the ends of two adjacent blocks are an easy fit over the lug projecting from the previous ring.

In constructing a barrel vault the end wall D is first built, leaving a rebate or ledge E upon which the first arch ring is bedded with lugs projecting outwards.

The lowest blocks in each ring are bedded in a channel F formed in the foundation concrete G.

The back of each block is preferably plastered with mortar before being placed in position.

The rings are built in steps as shown in Fig. 3, half blocks H being necessary at the bottom of each alternate ring.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 7, the blocks A have recesses 0n the top leaving ledges J, K, L providing spaces in which reinforcing rods M may lie.

If transverse reinforcement is required, for instance to give stray shear resistance between successive rings, holes N may be provided in the blocks in positions in which they will register from ring to ring; alternatively transverse grooves could be left in the extrados or intrados of the block to receive transverse reinforcement.

The lugs need not be circular in cross-section and more than one lug may be provided on each It is: to be.

is shown a block A2 similar back to front of the block at each end so shaped that when the blocks are fitted end to end and side by side, the recesses will cooperate to form passages to receive the lugs projecting from the side faces of juxta-positioned blocks of the previous course.

4. A voussoir form building block for use in arch construction having projecting from one side face thereof a plurality of lugs approximating in height the height of the block, a recess extending from back to front of th block at each end so shaped that when the blocks are fitted end to end and side by side, the recesses will cooperate to form passages to receive the to that shown in Fig. 1, with'a pair of dowels or lugs B projecting laterally from the same, which are adapted to be received in openings in juxtapositioned blocks of similar type. further modified in that it has a central opening C with semi-circular openings C at the ends.

I claim: 7

'1. A voussoir form building block for use in arch construction having projecting from one side face thereof a lug approximating in height to the height of the block and a recess at each end so shaped that when the blocks are fitted end to end and side by side, the recesses will cooperate to form passages to receiv the lugs projecting from the side faces of juxta-positioned blocks of the previous course.

2. A voussoir form building block for use in arch construction, having projecting from one side face thereof a plurality of lugs approximating in height to the height of the block, a, recess at each end so shaped that when the blocks are fitted end to end and side by side, the recesses will cooperate to form passages to receive the lugs projecting from the side faces of juxta-posi-.

tioned blocks of the previous course, and an opening in the block between the lugs and of shape to surround the corresponding lugs of a previous course.

3. A voussoir form building block for use in arch construction having projecting from one side face thereof a lug approximating in height the height of the block and a recess extending from Th block is lugs projecting from the side face of juxtapositioned blocks of the previous course, and an opening in the block between the lugs and of shape to surround the corresponding lugs of a previous course.

5. A voussoir form building block for use in arch construction having projecting from one side face thereof a lug approximating in height to the height of the block and a recess at each end so shaped that when the blocks are fitted end to end and side by side, the recesses will cooperate to form passages to receive the lugs projecting from the side faces of juxta-positioned blocks of the previous course and a recess on the face side from which said lug projects leaving ledges at the outer edges of the side from which the lug projects.

6. A voussoir form building block for use in arch construction having projecting from one side face thereof a plurality of lugs approximating in height the height of the block, a recess extending from back to front of the block at each end so shaped that when the blocks are fitted end to end and side by side, the recesses will cooper-' ate to form passages to receive the lugs projecting from the side faces of juxta-positioned blocks of the previous course, and an opening in'the block between the lugs and of shape to surround the corresponding lugs of a previous course.

NORMAN DAVEY. 

